Number-displaying device for caboose-cars



No. 62|,862. Patented Mar. 28, I899.

H. J. SMALL.

NUMBER DISPLAYING DEVICE FOR CABOOSE CABS.

(Application filed July 18, 1898.)

{No Model.) 2 Sheets-$heet I.

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WITNESSES:

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No. 62!,862. Patented Mar. 28, I899. H. J. SMALL.-

NUMBER DISPLAYING DEVICE FOR CABOOSE CABS.

(Application filed July 18, 189B.)

2 Sheets-8heet 2.

6N0 Model.)

FIG.2; 5k 12 1' II R 10 Ihvrrnn STATES PATENT Orrrcno HENRY .I. SMALL, OF SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA.

NUMBER-DISPLAYING DEVICE FOR CABOOSE-CARS.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters-Patent NO. 621,862, dated March 28, 1899.

- Application filed July 18, 1898- Serial No. 686,284. (No model.)

the train be a regular one or the number of the locomotive in case the train is an extra.

The improvement claimed is hereinafter fully set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical transverse section through the eupola of a caboose-car, showing in elevation my improvement applied on one end thereof; Fig. 2, a vertical central section through the end of the caboose, and Fig. 3 a horizontal section.

In the practice of my invention either or each of the ends of the cnpola 1 of a caboosecar is provided with an outer window-sash 2 of suitable size and glazed with a plate of plain glass 3. On the inside of the sash 2 and near thereto an inner sash 4, having a number of spaces or openings side by side and separated by narrow vertical bars 5, (six of said openings ordinarily su fficing for the requirements of trunk-line service,) is hinged to the sill 6 of the window-frame. The inner sash 4 is held in place by a button 7 at the top and is provided with suitable upper and lower grooves of sheet metal for the reception of marker-plates 8, each bearing a number, letter, or other designation and translucent backing-slides 9, which are preferably of ground plate-glass and are usually colored green. The marker-plates may be made of sheet brass, tin, paper, or other suitable material painted black, and the letter, figure,

or other designation of each is cut out in the manner of a stencil. The marker-plates are set on the outside of the backing-slides, and their designations are plainly shown by the exposed portions of the backing-slides, which are prominently marked by the surrounding black surfaces of the marker-plates and are thus easily seen in the daytime. The markerplates and backing-slides which are not in use are stored in a case 10, provided with suitable partitions and fixed to the end of the cnpola below the window-sill.

When running at night, the indications of the marker-plates and slides are made visible by any suitable illuminating means, as a lamp or lamps ll, inclosed in a reflector-case 12, of sheet metal, theinterior of which may be painted white or polished and which is located behind and in line horizontally with the inner sash at. The reflector-case is hinged at one end to the cnpola by a pin 13 and is held in posit-ion by a pin 14 at the opposite end, so that it may be swung back when required to trim or light the lamp or lamps. The rays of light projected through the glass backing-slides give a clear indication at night.

A sufficient number of marker-plates is provided to give the numerals of the different trains and locomotives in service, and markerpromptly changed whenever desired, and,

further, that the appliance is conveniently applicable at comparatively slight expense to caboose-cars of any of the ordinary styles now in use.

I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. In a number-displaying device for caboose-cars, the combination of an outer plain glazed sash in the cnpola of the caboose, a second sash hinged to the interior of the ow pola adjacent to the outer sash and having a plurality of spaces side by side, backingslide's adapted to fit in the spaces of the inner sash, and marker-plates, each having a cutout or stenciled designation and adapted to fit in a space of the inner sash on the outside of a backing-slide.

2. In a number-displaying device for caboose-cars, the combination of an outer plain glazed sash in the cupola of the caboose, a

second sash hinged to the interior of the eupalo adjacent to the outer sash and having a plurality of spaces side by side, translucent backing-slides adapted to fit in the spaces of the inner sash, niarker-glates, each having a cut-out 0r stenciled designation and adapted to fit in a space of the inner sash 0n the outside of a backing-slide, and an illuminating device supported behind or at the inner side of the inner sash.

3. In a number-displaying device for caboose-cars, the combination of an outer plain glazed sash connected to one end of the eu- 

